Amphibian · Xenopus laevis · typical adult weight 0.05–0.25 kg
Benzocaine is dosed at 0.1 % benzocaine solution (immersion bath) Immersion (bath) single immersion to effect, per anaesthetic in african clawed frogs, per Smith BD, Vail KJ, Carroll GL, Taylor MC, Jeffery ND, Vemulapalli TH, et al. Comparison of Etomidate, Benzocaine, and MS222 Anesthesia with and without Subsequent Flunixin Meglumine Analgesia in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2018;57(2):202-209. Benzocaine is used in african clawed frogs for General anaesthesia for surgery. Routes documented in african clawed frogs: Immersion (bath). A typical adult african clawed frog weighs 0.05–0.25 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Benzocaine in african clawed frogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immersion (bath) | 0.1 % benzocaine solution (immersion bath) | single immersion to effect, per anaesthetic | Contact time = submerge until a surgical plane is reached; mean induction 3.2 +/- 0.8 min, mean recovery 23.0 +/- 7.0 min. Benzocaine was weighed as solid, dissolved in 100% ethyl alcohol and then diluted in tank water to final concentration; the bath was made up in the animal's own recirculating-system water and titrated with sodium bicarbonate to pH 7.0. | General anaesthesia for surgery |
| Smith BD, Vail KJ, Carroll GL, Taylor MC, Jeffery ND, Vemulapalli TH, et al. Comparison of Etomidate, Benzocaine, and MS222 Anesthesia with and without Subsequent Flunixin Meglumine Analgesia in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2018;57(2):202-209. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5868386/Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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SAFETY AND HANDLING (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): The powder should be stored dry and stock solutions should be stored in the dark. ACTION (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): Benzocaine is lipid soluble and is rapidly absorbed across the gills and skin, resulting in anaesthesia by impeding peripheral nerve signal transmission to the CNS. USE (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): Sedation, immobilization, anaesthesia and euthanasia of fish. Ideally, the drug should be used in water from the tank or pond of origin to minimize problems due to changes in water chemistry. The dry powder is poorly soluble in water and must be made into a stock solution with acetone or ethanol (e.g. 100 g/l) for more accurate dosing. Before use, the pH of the anaesthetic solution should be buffered with sodium bicarbonate to the same pH as the water of origin. The anaesthetic solution should be used on the day of preparation and be well aerated during use. Food should be withheld from fish for 12-24 h prior to anaesthesia to reduce the risk of regurgitation. The stage of anaesthesia reached is determined by the concentration used and the duration of exposure, since absorption continues throughout the period of immersion. Potency decreases with higher temperatures. Different species vary in their response and may require different concentrations. It is recommended to use the lower dose rates to test the selected drug concentration and exposure time with a small group before medicating large numbers. Fish may retain some movement during anaesthesia, making it less desirable to use SOURCE: Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.50.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for african clawed frogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Benzocaine dose range in african clawed frogs, with cited source references: Immersion (bath) 0.1 % benzocaine solution (immersion bath) single immersion to effect, per anaesthetic. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Benzocaine in african clawed frogs: Immersion (bath).
Cited course lengths for Benzocaine in african clawed frogs include: Contact time = submerge until a surgical plane is reached; mean induction 3.2 +/- 0.8 min, mean recovery 23.0 +/- 7.0 min. Benzocaine was weighed as solid, dissolved in 100% ethyl alcohol and then diluted in tank water to final concentration; the bath was made up in the animal's own recirculating-system water and titrated with sodium bicarbonate to pH 7.0.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Benzocaine is indicated in african clawed frogs for: General anaesthesia for surgery.
These are general warnings for Benzocaine across species; consult the african clawed frog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. SAFETY AND HANDLING (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): The powder should be stored dry and stock solutions should be stored in the dark. ACTION (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): Benzocaine is lipid soluble and is rapidly absorbed across the gills and skin, resulting in anaesthesia by impeding peripheral nerve signal transmission to the CNS. USE (BSAVA Part B p.50, verbatim): Sedation, immobilization, anaesthesia and euthanasia of fish. Ideally, the drug should be used in water from the tank or pond of origin to minimize problems due to changes in water chemistry. The dry powder is poorly soluble in water and must be made into a stock solution with acetone or ethanol (e.g. 100 g/l) for more accurate dosing. Before use, the pH of the anaesthetic solution should be buffered with sodium bicarbonate to the same pH as the water of origin. The anaesthetic solution should be used on the day of preparation and be well aerated during use. Food should be withheld from fish for 12-24 h prior to anaesthesia to reduce the risk of regurgitation. The stage of anaesthesia reached is determined by the concentration used and the duration of exposure, since absorption continues throughout the period of immersion. Potency decreases with higher temperatures. Different species vary in their response and may require different concentrations. It is recommended to use the lower dose rates to test the selected drug concentration and exposure time with a small group before medicating large numbers. Fish may retain some movement during anaesthesia, making it less desirable to use SOURCE: Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.50.
Why a species-specific page? Benzocaine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african clawed frogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.